Suspended target trampoline game

ABSTRACT

A suspended target trampoline game includes a trampoline having a trampoline frame which includes a trampoline leg supporting the trampoline frame, and an enclosure. The enclosure includes an enclosure pole connected to the trampoline frame. The enclosure pole supports an enclosure net. An overhanging pole is connected to the enclosure pole. A line is suspended from the overhanging pole. A target is suspended from the line. A detachable connection can be formed between the target and the line. The detachable connection releasably attaches the target to the line. A slack control mechanism can adjust a height of the target. The target can be a ball.

The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/342,753 entitled Suspended Target Trampoline Game byinventor Samuel Chen, filed May 27, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of trampoline games.

DISCUSSION RELATED ART

A variety of different trampoline games can provide alternate uses fortrampolines. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,967, entitled TeamTrampoline Game And Method Of Playing The Same published Jan. 24, 2006,by inventor Allison, a team trampoline game utilizes an elongaterectangular enclosure with parallel side and end walls. On the endwalls, goals are positioned to permit the game projectile to passthrough. The base of the enclosure has two trampolines, one for eachparticipating team, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

U.S. patent publication 20060135321A1, entitled Lighted Trampolinepublished Jun. 22, 2006, by inventor Chen illustrates a trampolineenclosure with upper surface lights and sounds activated by bouncesensors connected to the rebound surface, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Inventor Clausell suspends a pluralityof trapezes from a canopy over a trampoline superstructure in hisinvention, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,623A, entitled ExercisingGame Apparatus published Mar. 7, 1978, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Inventor Chen connectsinfrared-receiving targets to a trampoline enclosure in U.S. Pat. No.8,585,558, entitled Trampoline Game published Nov. 19, 2013, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Contestantsutilize an infrared-emitting gun to shoot the targets while jumping onthe trampoline surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,740, entitled Trampoline Accessories published Jan.27, 2009 by inventor Colling portrays and describes a soccer net, arebounding surface to bounce a ball back to a thrower, and a catch panelthat will gather the ball when thrown against the panel, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference. These may be added toeither the trampoline frame or enclosure. Deflective netting may beadded adjacent the accessories to prevent ball or users from falling offthe trampoline surface.

Inventor Smith connects a projectile launcher to a trampoline in U.S.patent publication 20120010050, entitled Projectile Launcher andpublished Jan. 12, 2012. The projectile launcher, which may be used toexpel playing balls and the like, includes a propulsion element thatextracts energy from the bouncing action of a user to provide power tothe propulsion element, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,126, entitled Game Apparatus WithTarget And Trampoline and published Aug. 17, 1965, by inventor Nissen,one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 describes two adjacenttrampolines that are fitted with three superstructures—one on each farend of the trampolines and one that separates the two trampolines—onwhich goals are suspended, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

A variety of tether ball games have also been devised for gameplayindependent of trampolines. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,420, entitled SoccerTraining And Practice Device and published Oct. 23, 1984, inventorSowards describes a device comprised of a trampoline playing surfacesurrounded by a rebounder on one end and elastic ball-retaining cords onthe other ends, all of which are supported by safety poles, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, inU.S. Pat. No. 3,948,517, entitled Tennis Stroke Practice Device andpublished Apr. 6, 1976, by inventor Feiler, a U-shaped frame member ismounted to a support post such that its legs extend horizontally. A ballis tethered from the upper leg of the support post such that it may bestruck with a racket, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,328, entitled Practice Apparatus andpublished Oct. 25, 1938, by inventor Dickson relates to a ball throwingor batting practice device. A ball is tethered to a vertical pole that,through the use of various gears and mechanisms, oscillates in order toswing the tethered ball through space in a circular path. The primaryobject of the device is to automatically throw a ball so that a battermay practice the striking of the ball while in motion, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,643A,entitled Erratic Movement Tethered Ball Striking Toy and published Jan.15, 1974, by inventor Rich describes a tethered ball toy whereinmultiple balls are suspended on a line. At least one of the balls areeither partially filled with liquid or solid or mounted off-center suchthat the when struck, it produces erratic movement of the other balls,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A suspended target trampoline game includes a trampoline having atrampoline frame which includes a trampoline leg supporting thetrampoline frame, and an enclosure. The enclosure includes an enclosurepole connected to the trampoline frame. The enclosure pole supports anenclosure net. An overhanging pole is connected to the enclosure pole. Aline is suspended from the overhanging pole. A target is suspended fromthe line. A detachable connection can be formed between the target andthe line. The detachable connection releasably attaches the target tothe line. A slack control mechanism can adjust a height of the target.The target can be a ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suspended target game with atelescopically mounted overhanging pole.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspended target game with anexternally mounted overhanging pole.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ball and target line connection.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the line retainer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the line retainer.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the externally mounted overhanging pole.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a string piñata with an openable piñata hatch.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide inreferencing the element numbers of the drawings.

-   21 Target-   22 Target Connection-   23 Target Line-   24 Target Line Eyelet-   25 Target Line Eyelet Opening-   26 Eyelet Opening Connector-   31 Overhanging Pole-   32 Enclosure Pole-   33 Reel-   34 Reel Handles-   35 Target Line Weight-   36 First Overhanging Pole Connector-   37 Second Overhanging Pole Connector-   38 First Enclosure Pole Connector-   39 Second Enclosure Pole Connector-   40 Line Retainer-   41 Line Retainer Body-   42 Line Retainer Clamp-   43 Line Retainer Clamp Slot-   44 Line Retainer Hinge-   45 Piñata Hatch-   46 Piñata Active Line-   47 Piñata Decoy Line-   51 Trampoline Frame-   52 Net-   53 Upper Enclosure Support-   54 Trampoline Leg-   55 Enclosure Pole Connection-   56 Enclosure Pole Connection Nut-   58 Spring Cover

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A trampoline generally has a trampoline frame 51 having a ring ofhorizontal members. The trampoline frame 51 is connected to multipletrampoline legs 54. The trampoline legs 54 are U-shaped and connected tothe trampoline frame 51 to support the trampoline frame 51 above theground. The trampoline legs have enclosure poles 32 connected to them.The enclosure poles 32 are connected to the trampoline legs at anenclosure pole connection 55. The enclosure pole connection 55 includesa first enclosure pole connector 38 and a second enclosure poleconnector 39 which can be formed of a screw or bolt for example. Theenclosure pole connection nut 56 can thread to the enclosure poleconnectors when the enclosure pole connectors are formed as bolts. Theenclosure poles 32 support an upper enclosure support 53. The upperenclosure support 53 has a net 52 suspended from the upper enclosuresupport. The net 52 retains users bounding on the trampoline bed. Thetrampoline bed is connected to the trampoline frame 51 at a plurality ofsprings that are covered by spring cover 58.

An overhanging pole 31 is connected to the enclosure pole 32. Theoverhanging pole 31 can be connected telescopically such as seen in FIG.1, or can be connected with overhanging pole connectors such as a firstoverhanging pole connector 36 and a second overhanging pole connector 37as seen in FIG. 2. The first overhanging pole connector 36 and thesecond overhanging pole connector 37 preferably bisected and areorthogonally oriented relative to the enclosure pole 32. Whentelescopically connected, the overhanging pole 31 can slide into theenclosure pole 32. The overhanging pole 31 can be flexible and of asmaller diameter than an internal diameter of the enclosure pole 32.When externally connected in a parallel fashion as seen in FIG. 2, theoverhanging pole 31 preferably fits over a top portion of the enclosurepole 32. The enclosure pole 32 can be made of tubular steel, while theoverhanging pole 31 is made of a fiberglass or flexible steel rod.

A target 21 is connected to a target line 23 which suspends the target21 above the trampoline bed. The target connection 22 connects thetarget 21 to the target line 23. The target connection 22 can be adetachable hook and loop or magnetic connection. The target line 23 isretained to the pole system by a target line eyelet 24 that retains thetarget line 23 so that it drapes over a center portion of the trampolinebed. Preferably, the target line eyelet 24 has a target line eyeletopening 25 on an upper surface of the target line eyelet 24. The targetline eyelet opening 25 is formed as a gap to allow release andattachment of the target line 23 to facilitate assembly. The target lineopening 25 can be closed by a clip or carabiner or the like. The eyeletopening 25 can be connected to the overhanging pole 31 by the eyeletopening connector 26.

The target can be formed as a tetherball such as a sponge ball, foamball or as a traditional tetherball. A user can grasp at the target. Ifthe target has extending lines such as cords, strings or rope, the usercan pull on the lines which may activate certain features of the targetsuch as lights, sound on the target, or open a hatch such as in the caseof a string piñata.

A slack control mechanism such as a reel, a line retainer 40 or a hitchknot retains line tension in the target line 23 and also adjust theheight of the target 21. Preferably, a reel 33 can control slack in thetarget line 23. The real 33 can be controlled by a reel handle 34. Thereel handle 34 can be optionally geared to a higher or lower ratio forfaster or slower reeling. A slack portion of the target line extendsfrom the reel and can be weighted by a target line weight 35. The slackportion of the target line can also be clamped with a line retainer suchas a nautical line retainer. Instead of a reel or line retainer, theuser can also hitch the line around the lower end of the trampolineenclosure pole, or can hitch the line around one of the trampoline legs.

The line retainer 40 could be used in conjunction with the reel. Theline retainer 40 includes a line retainer body 41. The line retainerbody 41 can be attached to the enclosure pole 32. The line retainer body41 includes a line retainer clamp slot 43. The line retainer clamp slot43 is formed vertically along a length of the line retainer 40 and holdsthe line retainer clamp 42. The line retainer clamp 42 is hinged to theline retainer body 41 at a line retainer hinge 44. The line retainerclamp 42 can rotate toward the line retainer slot 43 and retain thetarget line 23 between the line retainer clamp 42 and the line retainerbody 41. The end of the line retainer clamp 42 can have an eccentric camthat binds to the target line 23. The line retainer clamp 42 could alsobe formed as a wheel, a lever or a wheel mounted on a lever.

Alternatively as seen in FIG. 6, the first overhanging pole connectorcan be formed as a helical spring that provides a spring tension to theoverhanging pole 31. The helical spring can receive a lower end of theoverhanging pole 31. The helical spring can be attached to the secondoverhanging pole connector 37. The second overhanging pole connector 37can be attached to an upper end of the enclosure pole 32 get the secondoverhanging pole connector 37 is formed as a plastic end cap that fitsover the enclosure pole 32.

User play can involve touching the target 21 at different heights. Thetarget height can be adjustable by the reel or by the line retainer. Asa user increases jumping height, the user can track the record heightjumped.

The target 21 can be formed as a piñata designed to hold candy and beactivated when burst such as by impact. Instead of a traditional impactburst piñata, 21 the target can be formed as a string piñata that opensa piñata hatch 45 for releasing candy or other small prizes when aparticular piñata active line 46 is pulled on the string piñata. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 3 the string piñata can be styled as an insectwith extending legs being the string lines. At least one string line isconnected to a piñata hatch 45 for opening the piñata hatch of thestring piñata. The piñata hatch 45 can be hinged, or held in place byweak adhesive. After pulling, the piñata active line 46 remains attachedto the piñata hatch 45 which means that the piñata hatch 45 and thepiñata active line 46 are pulled away from the target 21. The piñata isa string piñata with an active line connected to a piñata hatch. Thepiñata hatch is configured to release from the string piñata when a userpulls on the active line. To a child, this would appear as if he pulledaway a leg of the insect which remained attached to a body section ofthe insect.

The following claims define the scope of the invention.

1. A suspended target trampoline game comprising: a. a trampoline havinga trampoline frame which includes a trampoline leg supporting thetrampoline frame, and an enclosure, wherein the enclosure includes anenclosure pole connected to the trampoline frame, wherein the enclosurepole supports an enclosure net; a. an overhanging pole connected to theenclosure pole; b. a line suspended from the overhanging pole; and c. atarget suspended from the line.
 2. The suspended target trampoline gameof claim 1, further including a detachable connection between the targetand the line, wherein the detachable connection releasably attaches thetarget to the line.
 3. The suspended target trampoline game of claim 1,further including a slack control mechanism for adjusting a height ofthe target.
 4. The suspended target trampoline game of claim 1, whereinthe target is a ball.
 5. The suspended target trampoline game of claim1, wherein the target is a piñata.
 6. The suspended target trampolinegame of claim 5, wherein the piñata is a string piñata with an activeline connected to a piñata hatch, wherein the piñata hatch is configuredto release from the string piñata when a user pulls on the active line.7. The suspended target trampoline game of claim 6, further including adetachable connection between the target and the line, wherein thedetachable connection releasably attaches the target to the line.
 8. Thesuspended target trampoline game of claim 6, further including a slackcontrol mechanism for adjusting a height of the target.
 9. The suspendedtarget trampoline game of claim 7, further including a detachableconnection between the target and the line, wherein the detachableconnection releasably attaches the target to the line.